Department of Public Safety

When you come to live on campus, it's understandable that you or your parents might have some concerns about your safety and well-being. We understand, and that's why we're here to enforce Pennsylvania’s Vehicle and Crimes Codes and University policies and regulations. Our purpose and responsibility is to provide you with the safest possible living and learning environment so that you may thoroughly enjoy your years at Shippensburg.

Follow the links below to learn more about safety and security at Shippensburg, and how we can help you to have the best possible experience during your time here.

For Campus Police Dial 1444: Potential criminal actions and police emergencies should be reported directly by any student, faculty, or employee to the University Police by dialing campus extension 1444. University Police are then dispatched immediately to the site of the complaint and will make arrests if necessary.

Other Emergencies Call 911: Anyone on campus needing assistance in a medical or fire emergency should dial 911. They will be connected directly with personnel at county control and the appropriate emergency personnel will be dispatched. University Police personnel will respond to the scene as well.

The University Police Station is located in the Reed Operations Center. There are also outdoor and indoor emergency phones throughout the campus that will connect directly to the police station. The University Police Department maintains both a crime and fire log, which is available for public inspection 24-7. These logs are located in the police dispatch center.

Our Drug-Free Campus Policy requires all employees and students receive literature stating the University's standards of conduct related to drugs and alcohol, and the applicable legal sanctions under local, state, or federal law. University police strictly enforce laws regulating underage drinking, the use of controlled substances, and weapons. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on campus. Illegal drugs are not permitted on campus. Drug and alcohol abuse education programs are provided to employees through the Employee Assistance Program.

Where can I turn for assistance related to drug and alcohol use?

Students seeking counseling, treatment, or rehabilitation can contact the campus coordinator of our drug and alcohol program.

Many safety features have been implemented on the Shippensburg campus in order to keep everyone here as safe as possible, including measures for general safety, fire safety, and residential hall security.

Surveillance cameras have been installed in many locations around the campus. Every entrance to each residence hall also has a CCTV (Closed Circuit TV) camera that is monitored by the University Police.

There are over 30 outdoor emergency telephones located across campus, and many more indoor emergency phones, which are directly connected to the University Police Operations Center.

Fire Safety: Every residence hall is equipped with an automatic smoke/heat detection system monitored 24 hours a day by University Police. The system also includes strobe light units to notify students who are hearing impaired. An alarm prompts immediate evacuation of the building. The system also self-tests for tampering and reduces the chance for false alarms.

Each individual residence hall room has an AC-powered smoke detector with battery backup, which resident assistants (RAs) check during monthly room inspections. Fire drills are conducted a minimum of two times each semester in all residence halls. Students who fail to evacuate as required are referred to the university judicial system.

All residence halls are equipped with fire sprinkler systems. Fire extinguishers are also provided in many different areas of all campus buildings and checked monthly. Fire hydrants are located outside each residence hall. The Department of Public Safety conducts monthly building inspections of every campus facility.

Residence Hall Security: Professional resident deans, graduate resident directors, and resident assistants live in the residence halls and alternately are assigned on-call duty. As members of the residence life staff, they undergo thorough training in enforcing residence hall security policies.

Desk assistants are assigned to the desk at the main entrance of each residence hall during selected day and night hours. These desk assistants are in immediate phone contact with University Police if necessary. Residence life personnel and campus police also conduct foot and bicycle patrols throughout the residence hall areas.

All residence hall doors are locked 24 hours a day. Electronic alarms warn the staff of unlocked or open exit doors in the residence halls. A card access system permits only students and authorized personnel to enter the hall with an I.D. card through the front entrance. Visitors must sign in at the main desk. Both on-campus and off-campus visitors to the residence halls must be escorted through the residence hall by a resident. Most student rooms have dead bolt locks; rooms in older residence halls have conventional locks. All windows have locking devices.

Special security procedures are in effect for students during low occupancy periods. During holidays and vacations, for example, residence students are consolidated into fewer halls and visitation procedures may be more restrictive.

The cost for all student parking decals is $75.00 for the first decal; additional decals for the same student are $10.00. The cost for all faculty and staff parking decals are $1.00 for every decal purchased. Permits are valid from September 1 of each year to August 31 of the following year. Parking decal purchases are nonrefundable.

Rave Guardian is a free mobile app that turns any smartphone into a personal safety device. By downloading this free safety app, students, staff and faculty can enhance their personal safety both on and off campus.

Register and set up an account: Users can add their name, campus address, medical notes and other pertinent information for campus safety in case of emergency.

Easy Emergency Communication: In an emergency, a one button call to campus safety officials will display the users Guardian profile and current location.

Add & Message Guardians: By adding roommates, friends, and family to their network, users can feel safer when walking alone, on or off campus. Guardians can also be messaged directly through the app.

Set a Safety Timer: In the event a student feels unsafe, they can set a timer with their current location, indicating where they are going and when they should arrive. In the event they do not make it there and de-active the timer, Guardians or campus safety will be immediately alerted.

The Rave Guardian App can be downloaded in the Apple or Google Play stores by searching for “Rave Guardian”. You can also learn more at www.raveguardian.com.